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Firehouse Loft with Harbor Views

2 bedrooms, 1 bath. A short walk to Manhattan ferry.

Enjoy all that NYC has to offer while enjoying a NYC rarity: open space.

You'll have the second floor loft with your own entrance. The space is full of light, with beautiful views of NYC's active harbor. Your loft apartment is a private oasis after a day in the city. This is a great spot to gather with loved ones. The central room can easily accommodate multiple activities. The building is 100 years old, so it provides a unique atmosphere. The two bedrooms allow privacy, and three full-sized pull-out couches are available for additional guests in the center room (the pictures here haven't been updated since we bought the additional pull-outs). 8 people can stay here without stepping on one another's toes. 11 people can stay here, if they get along very well. ONE parking space is provided off-street, free of charge.

No parties or social events without explicit explanation and approval PRIOR to booking. That will be a different charge. No commercial activity. Any kind of camera work will be a different charge. Film shoots BEGIN at $700 per day. PRIOR to booking, we need to know your electrical requirements, your plans for dressing the set, and any hopes for using an exterior rig.

Manhattan access: It is very easy to get around our neighborhood. We are in Tompkinsville, bordering St. George, only a 15-minute walk or 5-minute bus ride from the free 25-minute ferry ride to Manhattan. The walk to the ferry is easy and enjoyable. We have a cab service one block away. A cab from our address to the ferry costs $5. Ferries travel at least every 30 minutes, passing close by the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Governor's Island. The Manhattan ferry terminal offers immediate access to subways and buses going anywhere in New York City. Estimate 1 hour to reach Times Square and 80 minutes to reach the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but much of that time will be spent on a free scenic ferry ride offering coffee, beer, and food. MTA transfers are good on both sides of the ferry. Stops for a dozen bus lines are within two blocks of us, as is a SI Railroad station. Cars are unnecessary, but we do offer guests a parking space off-street in our gated yard, and parking is easy to find on our local streets. New Yorkers do a lot of walking, but if you want to drive that .7 mile in your own car, the ferry parking lot costs $8 a day.

Our neighborhood: After exploring the city, return to St. George and Tompkinsville for great restaurants and bars, playgrounds, parks, and museums. We live 2 blocks from an active commercial district. You'll stay in a vibrant, diverse area in an historic district with many cultural attractions. We live in a great walking neighborhood. In one direction are bars and restaurants. In the other direction is a historic residential area. All the necessities of life are within easy walking distance. There are two major grocery stores, two laundromats, and at least two drugstores within a couple of blocks. An F.L. Olmsted park is five-minutes away by bus, as are a couple playgrounds.

We have a children's museum and a zoo within a 15-minute bus ride. The first buildings landmarked by NYC are 10 minutes away at Snug Harbor, the largest collection of Greek Revival architecture in the country. Staten Island is a terminal moraine, so there are some interesting geological formations and great hiking close by. The Five Boro Bike Tour goes by a block away, finishing by the ferry terminal. The New York City Marathon starts 3.4 miles away at Ford Wadsworth.

Bedrooms

2 Bedrooms

Sleeps 11

Owner

Susannah Abbate

Member Since 2014

Speaks:

english, german, spanish, ein wenig Deutsch, un poco español

Calendar last updated:

Dec 15, 2018

About Susannah Abbate

We are a family living on the North Shore of Staten Island. We enjoy books, records, movies, and running around NYC.
As hosts, we are quiet and unobtrusive. We live directly above, ready to make sure your stay exceeds your expectations, but our floors are separated by several feet of concrete. You have your own entrance. You may not even see us, unless you need us. We've set up the second floor as a separate home, the kind of place we would like to stay if we were traveling with family or friends. We often do not see guests - we are busy with our lives and you are busy enjoying this great city.
We have kids. (Don't worry - they're nice!) If you have kids, let us know. We have an extra stroller. We have a portable crib. We have toys. We know what it's like to travel with kids. You don't need to haul a bunch of stuff - just talk to us about what you need and your children like.

Susannah Abbate purchased this Apartment in 2006

Why Susannah Abbate chose Tompkinsville

We love where we live. Our neighborhood is diverse and personable. It's a fun place to live, away from the tourist crowd but full of plenty of interesting places and people. Our building is a rare find in any part of NYC -- a lot of personal space with views of the water. While we are native New Yorkers, we still love to explore NYC's secret nooks and crannies. The city is full of surprises. One of the best parts of living in Staten Island is that it does not have the fast pace of the other boroughs. After a busy day running around, this is a nifty place to be.

What makes this Apartment unique

This is a 1913 Hoppin & Koen firehouse built in the City Beautiful tradition, former home of FDNY Division 8 and Engine 154. If you are interested in architecture, this is the firm responsible for the Beaux Arts NYPD headquarters at 240 Centre Street. We live in an area rife with historic homes, from Federal era to late Victorian.
If you're interested in baseball, this is where Bobby Thomson came to celebrate after his 'Shot Heard Around the World' in 1951, winning the pennant for the Giants.
If you're interested in FDNY history, we are walking distance from an even earlier firehouse, Robinson Hose Company #9, at 528 Van Duzer Street, built in 1889 as part of the Edgewater Fire Department, a private company before FDNY took over in 1905. Once you're in our home, you'll understand why this site was selected. We are situated on a bluff overlooking the harbor with strategic views of the neighborhood.

Amenities

Internet

Fireplace

TV

Satellite or Cable

Washer & Dryer

Children Welcome

Parking

Heater

Bathrooms

1 Bathroom

Bathroom 1

toilet, combination tub/shower, Clean and well lit, with plenty of privacy.

General

A laundromat is one block away. You can put in a load and come back to the house to watch a show before you return to switch loads.

Fireplace

Parking

Heating

Baseboard radiators in all rooms.

Towels Provided

We have beach towels to share upon request. Kitchen towels are in the kitchen. Bath towels are in the bathroom.

Wireless Internet

Iron & Board

Hair Dryer

Elevator

Living Room

There are a couple of couches, multiple seats and sitting stools, a chaise, and a child's day bed. The central room can easily seat 12.

Kitchen

Refrigerator

Stove

Oven

Microwave

Coffee Maker

Toaster

Pantry Items

Let us know what you need and what you are missing. We are happy to share what we have. We travel ourselves, and know how silly it is to buy salt and pepper for a short stay! Advance notice helps.

Dishes & Utensils

Enough for 10 people. If you need anything, just ask. We probably have it. We have large family gatherings. We have casual wine glasses for 6 and crystal wine glasses for 12 for special occasions.

Kitchen

Dining

Dining Area

Dining

You can squish in 12 without starting a food fight. Boosters upon request.

comfy seating for 10 people

Entertainment

Television

Satellite / Cable

Premium cable channels

Stereo

Bluetooth streaming stereo

DVD Player

Blu-ray DVD

Books

Books about New York, books about New Yorkers, books for kids. I am a librarian and historian - we have a lot of books.

Games

Cards. Games for kids. Table foosball. Video games.

Toys

We have toys for babies to young kids. Table foosball.

Video Library

Kids, drama, silly, plus Netflix and TV with internet access.

Video Games

PS-2 and Wii - but I haven't played either in a very long time.

Outside

Tennis

2 miles to the public Silver Lake Park Tennis Courts, 10 minutes by cab or bus.

Golf

The Silver Lake Golf Course is 1.5 miles away. LaTourette Golf Course is 7 miles away.

Suitability

Long-term Renters Welcome

Pool / Spa

Communal Pool

During the summer season, Lyons Pool is 2 blocks away.

Onsite Services

Massage

Notes

If you would like an appointment with a masseuse, local on- or off-road running guide, or a personal trainer, let me know.

House Rules

Check-in: 4:00 PM

Check-out: 10:00 AM

Cancellation Policy

100% refund if canceled at least 60 days before arrival date.

45 Reviews

Excellent4.7/5

1 - 6 of 45

A DIAMOND in the rough!!!!

5/5

Stayed Sep 2018

Tracy C.Staten Island, New York

My guest and I enjoyed our stay. Susannah is a gracious host who aims to please. The loft was clean, airy and spacious. Enough room for people to move about without feeling cramped.

Submitted Sep 16, 2018

Beautiful place to stay with own garden and yet so close to Manhattan.

4/5

Stayed Aug 2018

Kathy H.

Beautiful airy space with its own garden. When you step inside, you feel at home at once. We stayed there with 4 adults and 2 children and loved the garden next to the house in an environment without much green around. Although you could stay with more persons because of the pullout couches, I wouldn't recommend it because there is only one toilet which is situated in the bathroom, so that's a bit of a hassle in the morning.

It's about a 10 to 15 minutes walk to the ferry to Manhattan and then a relaxed 25 minutes on the ferry and you can begin your day in Manhattan! The only minus point I can think of is the neighbourhood nearby. We didn't try it out, but I don't think you should walk around after dark.

Submitted Sep 7, 2018

Perfect home!

5/5

Stayed Jul 2018

richard c.

Susannah is a perfect host and the appartment is brilliant!

Thank you for letting us stay and we will definitely recommend to friends and family. Our son loved all the photos and original firehouse displays, truly unique!!

Submitted Aug 8, 2018

Great stay in an interesting neighborhood

5/5

Stayed Jul 2018

Jeanne P.

The apartment was just as described, so charming and spacious! Aside from some street noise from nearby businesses, we were very comfortable and slept well. Susannah was awesome and made things very easy and provided lots of helpful notes that were very clear. Even without AC, the breezes kept things cool at night. We spent a full day exploring Staten Island and took in SI Yankees game, there were many hidden gems. Loved it, thank you!

Submitted Jul 19, 2018

Relaxing place to land after exploring New York

5/5

Stayed Jun 2018

Gina G.

This firehouse loft was the perfect location to access public transit to easily explore New York City. You can catch a bus just one block away that will take you to the Staten Island Ferry (about a 5-10 minute ride) or about a 15 minute walk. The owner provided MTA cards that we could fill on our first trip to the ferry station. It's also worthwhile to stay on Staten Island and catch a Staten Island Yankees game (one of our favorite nights). The location provided a view of the harbor. It was a nice place to land after long days of exploring. The space is immense with a large, open living space and two bedrooms. Having a full kitchen with some essentials (like coffee) already provided was a big plus. The loft was clean and inviting.

We were visiting during a very hot week. We knew ahead of time the place did not have AC, but there were ample fans provided that we moved around based on the time of day and stayed comfortable. Even on a hot week we would still prefer staying here over staying at a hotel.

Susannah was very helpful in answering our questions about the neighborhood (restaurants, laundry facilities, etc) and helping us figure out some of our transportation needs (google maps was also amazing in helping navigate the subway system).

Submitted Jul 20, 2018

The property was exactly as the pictures show!

5/5

Stayed May 2018

robyn k.

We had a great stay in this Staten Island apartment. Our host had everything we could think of ready for us. She did request critical comments so she could make the place even better and the only thing I can think of is there were no bandaids in the first aid kit. Haha! Other than that the place was exactly what we were looking for and I hope to stay again someday.

Submitted May 19, 2018

1 - 6 of 45

Map

Tompkinsville, Staten Island, NY, USA

This is New York City, but not a touristy area. We live in the cultural hub of Staten Island, with plenty of historical sites and diverse cultural influences. There is a lot of fun to be had here in Tompkinsville/St. George. We are also a quick and free ferry ride from Manhattan. The Manhattan ferry terminal is at a major intersection and a free transfer to subways reaching the rest of NYC.

Availability

Additional information about rental rates

Cleaning

$25

Cleaning

$25

Property Damage Protection

$79

Cleaning

$25

Cleaning

$100

Housekeeping fees are increased for groups larger than 4, or groups using more than 2 beds. Our base rental is for 4 guests or less. Base housekeeping is $100. Groups of 5-6 guests pay $125 for housekeeping. Groups of 7-8 pay $150 for housekeeping. Groups of 8-11 pay $175. It is A LOT of laundry!
We offer ONE parking space in our side yard. Additional street parking is close and easy to find.